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Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus, part of the growing repentance remnant, cleansing as His Bride, getting ready for His soon return as our Bridegroom-----
Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Continuing with the theme on Repentance (if you missed my previous messages - you can refer to the previous messages on Why Repentance which was followed by What is Repentance, and the last one I looked at Who should Repent) - And Today I want to conclude with How to Repent ... As I have found that there are a number of ideas and many different views on what Repentance is, and thus it is also have an effect on what we should do to really repent, and thus be set free by our Lord from any sin-stronghold in our lives.
But first I want to share with you a dream our sister Apostle Memory from Lusaka, Zambia shared with us last week. Her dream confirms Matt 7:13-14 - but there was an extra little insight/revelation she received - that is so profound - and thus I felt the need to share it with you also...
Apostle Memory wrote:
I had forgotten, last night (May 8th,2025) I had a dream, there were two gates, that people where using: a big gate had , few people going through it, but a small gate, had a lot of people trying to go through it but they were carrying things and it was hard for them, to go through!
So I was telling them, to leave what they were carrying so that they can be able to go through the small gate.
Some were leaving things and crying while going through the small gate!
I was telling them: "If you want to use this small gate, leave everything you are carrying" !
And I saw on the wall 🧱🧱 the word REPENTANCE written on it.
My husband then wake me up - as I didn't know that while I was asleep, I was talking exactly what was happening in the dream, and he was hearing my voice telling people to use that small gate.
The Revelation insight that hit me when I read her message was - many people actually do want to go through the narrow gate and want to enter the Kingdom of God - but they don't know how, and it is just too difficult with all their "baggage" to get through the gate -
But then the KEY Answer to this "frustration" is the word REPENTANCE Written on the Wall !!
As, this made me realise, that people in general really struggle to understand HOW to get in to the Kingdom of God - as there are so many different theologies and sermons, which has caused so much confusion in the church over the years, and like the insight I shared from Charles Finney's book I mentioned in my first message - we have lost the deeper meaning and understanding of what Repentance really is, or even how to repent.
For many we just lead them in a general prayer - saying "I repent of all my sins" - but then nothing has been addressed specifically - and years later those old sin-strongholds start haunting people with guilt and shame and even sicknesses and diseases, and they realise they still have a lot of pain and regret, as well as bitterness etc hidden in their subconscious mind of what happened in the past - and they don't know to come free from it.
Some actually go for Deliverance - but not everyone has found that deliverance isn't always successful. And some feels that they will have to walk with those feelings or issues for the rest of their lives - until the day they die. I have even heard of some people that committed suicide after they went for deliverance sessions, as they experienced an even harsher attack of those things that they so desperately wanted to get rid of - and it eventually drove them to commit suicide - as they just couldn't deal with the pain and depression anymore - and there was just no healing or deliverance. And then the church will come with a "Twisted / Deceptive Lie" that "God wanted you to walk with that pain, depression, or whatever issues the person has..."
But these things used to bother me quite a bit over the past couple of years - as it just doesn't make sense ?? The answers I heard from the Church - isn't in line with the Word - and it got me wondering - either they don't have the answer - or the Word is just "make believe" - and there is thus no hope - or just some people can receive healing, and others have to live with their pain. and I specifically asked Jesus once - "Did You only die for some people - and not for everyone ??"
His answer really surprised me - He said: "I died for everyone, but not everyone Receives it by Faith"...
And when I read the Word of God and look at scriptures like Heb 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience" and even 1 John 1:5-9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - it tells me that we can all come free, be healed and even delivered (Which Jesus confirmed in Luke 4:18, reading from Isa 61:1 - and then even responding in verse 21 of Luk 4 - with "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."). Meaning if this has been fulfilled - then we can all be set free - it isn't just for some - anyone who comes to Him by Faith, can receive His Deliverance.
So what bothers me then why aren't everyone receiving it then...And so after I've been meditating on these above scriptures, I started arguing that if a Deliverance session has "failed" to truly deliver a person - then there must be something we are missing as the church - and the Deliverance sessions missed something somewhere ?
And so I started asking the Lord to show me what are we missing...and at first the Lord has led me one day to Mark 2:1-12 & Isa 53:5 - where He showed me that our Healing was hidden in His Suffering for and His Forgiveness of our sins.
Meaning that: Without His Forgiveness, we can not be healed !
And then these last few years since I've been involved with National Day of Repentance, I found that the scripture in Luke 24:46-47 gave me the 2nd key to this question I've been wrestling with - which is saying is that "REPENTANCE which leads to Forgiveness (or in some translations it is actually saying - Repentance leads to Remission of Sins - "where remission means that all evidence of sin has been removed") must be preached..."
And so the Lord has led me lately through a Process of Repentance - which I started to apply in my own life every time some or other ache, or pain (physical + emotional), or guilt feelings or whatever thoughts or sinful behavior, fears or emotions started bugging me, and when I started to feel really convicted by the Holy Spirit just knowing that "this thing needs to be sorted out"...!!
And so I started to apply this process He gave me (which is about 5 steps) - and I have seen healing happening in my body - and my emotions started to calm down...and I've started to work through my problems, and fears etc.
eg: I always had issues with my colon even before I was born again, and Holy Spirit baptised... I always had issues - from just mild and discomfort, to painful cramps even up to actual pain and and serious spasms, etc.
And since I've applied this process, all that aches and pains and spasms etc left - and I haven't had any stomach cramps now for over a year already.
And so I can share other testimonies with you as well.
But to keep things short - I'll just share this process with you now below going through it how I apply each step and some lessons I've learned etc...- and I pray and trust that as you start applying these steps in your prayer time with the Lord, that He will come and touch you, and bring healing in your life too !!
And not just your own, but also in your relationships and family.
As these 5 steps are really powerful when applied by Faith and in trust and obedience to our Lord's Word and Commandments...
Step 1: Confession & Stop Blaming Others
One of the first things I have found is - until I admit my own "guilt" and my own "part" in the circumstances, and stop blaming others for what I'm going through, nothing will happen. I will just dwell over and over specific situations and circumstances, and I just never get to the point of Dealing with it.
But when I started praying, saying "Lord, where did I go wrong in that particular situation?" or "Lord, what was my part / role in that situation, that caused things to go all haywire and caused so much hurt and pain ?", He started showing me what I did wrong, and what was my actual sinful behaviors that has caused the issues, etc.
He for example showed me one day - that by just not saying NO - and instead just keeping quiet when someone else mis-behaved, it has caused me to be "involved" in that issue, and I was pulled into the spiritual attacks that came with it. My mouth hang open. I could hardly believe it. But when I confessed it - and said "I'm sorry Lord, I didn't realise that...", I could feel something lift off my shoulders, and I could feel I was set free thereafter.
And another thing I also found that I must stop being critical about what others are doing wrong (Matt 7:1-5), and even watch what I say when someone hurts, rejects, steals or mistreats me (whether it was intentionally or unintentionally), can also cause trouble in my life, and place me under bondage. Backlashing & Retaliations - especially in anger outbursts - has often caused me to step into sin, and it can even cause sickness or disease in my life. Even if it was someone else's fault originally, I need to be very careful what I say and how I react towards their sin-full behaviors...
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And thus I started confessing all my words, deeds, thoughts, emotions..etc...from any and every situation of whatever happened in the past..!
Step 2: Asking for Forgiveness
And this then led me to step 2 - as I started to "own up" to my own sinful thoughts and behaviors, and thus it led me to I start asking our Lord, for His Forgiveness for me.
As I didn't realise how much I was actually guilty of - until I started asking Him where did things go wrong, and when He started to show me through His Spirit and His Word - I realised I'm seriously guilty...
This made me realise I desperately need His forgiveness for me (Luk 7:47)...as I was so blind to my own mis-behaviors and I needed to change, and had to stop how I reacted and watch my words, from what I used to say..etc. As I was getting myself into so much trouble - and I didn't even realise it.
And I also realised through the loving presence of the Holy Spirit revealing these things to me... - That Even though others around me are saying the same wrong things I used to say, as I was just reacting/behaving how they are reacting..etc.. The Holy Spirit showed me - even if others are behaving "wrong", it doesn't give me the right, to do the same.
Meaning: Instead of me being "justified" because "everyone is saying/doing that same wrong thing" - it will actually bring in return the same judgement to me which they will receive !!!
And thus I have a choice - do I want to be judged as they are and with them, or do I want stop my behavior, and change my ways...!!
And so I realised - I seriously need His forgiveness - so that I won't be judged on that anymore - as I definitely don't want to be judged for something - if I have a chance to come free...!! (Rom 12:2 - I can't afford to be conformed to this world)
Step 3: Receiving our Lord's Forgiveness by Faith
And that then led me to step 3 - as I realised we often asked the Lord to forgive us - but do we actually RECEIVE HIS FORGIVENESS for us..!!
The Key actually lies in that He loves us so much, and He paid the price for our sins - and He has forgiven us on the cross!
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
But unless we come to Him by faith and RECEIVE it - we will never know am I forgiven or not - and am I still guilty of this thing or am I set free.
For I found that the moment I've asked for His forgiveness & then RECEIVED it for myself by Faith - I could sense a deliverance happening in my heart, soul, mind and spirit. I could feel His love come pouring into my heart, and all of a sudden Heb 10:22 made so much sense.
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
I could literally feel the weight of my guilt, and shame lift from my shoulders !! And I really could start praising Him for His Goodness and Faithfulness !!
It was His Forgiveness that set me free !! (Like Mark 2:1-12)
Step 4: Forgiving others as you are forgiven
But then Jesus reminded me of Matt 6:9-15, Matt 18:15-35 and even Mark 11:25-26 - that unless we forgive others their trespasses, we can not be forgiven by our Heavenly Father of our trespasses, and then when we stand to pray about something, my prayers are hindered, and thus we don't see the miracles we believe to receive when we pray - which often caused me to be so disappointed - as I so believed I will receive what I asked my Lord for, and then nothing came through.
It only made sense when I read and understood Mark 11:25-26 "And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."
As I realised with a shock: That if I'm not forgiven by my Heavenly Father, then I'm actually still stuck on the other side of that Chasm that was separating us from God - and thus it was very clear to me why I don't receive the answers to my prayers !!
And since I started focusing on the Hidden Power of Receiving God's Forgiveness for me - and then started giving / showing others that same Grace and Mercy He has been showing me, it was like I could cross over that chasm - and started seeing more and more how my prayers are answered, and small miracles happen every now and then.
And so I started interceding for my family, my friends, my colleagues, etc...forgiving them, and even asking the Lord to break those bondages over our lives that were holding us captive, and hurting our relationships, etc..
And lately I'm starting to see even some relationships are being restored, and people's attitudes towards me are starting to change also..
Step 5: Choose to CHANGE Your Mind, Words, Actions, Behavior - Which is REPENTANCE
And from the above - that now brings me to step 5 - TRUE REPENTANCE !!
Referring to my previous newsletters - as to what is Repentance really... When I realised how important Repentance really is - I started making those objective choices in my mind and heart - that I'm not going to do the things or say the specific things I used to do or say or even behave in the ways I used to behave anymore...
My Lord has forgiven me - and thus if I Go back and do those things again - it really becomes an insult to His Name and everything He stands for..!!
And I realised I can't fully repent for anyone else - each one of us has to come to this point for ourselves. I can only pray, intercede with earnest prayers to the Lord for their forgiveness and also forgive them. But this last step, only they can do. I can only do my part - and become the change I want to see - and through the changes I now make in my life - my words and my ways - I can now influence and encourage others to do the same...
And so our land and country will eventually get healed - if we all do our part.
And yes, it isn't easy - it is often a struggle between the Fleshly ways to come in line with the Spiritual ways (Gal 5:17) - but as I started to step into maturity I discovered how it becomes easier to make the "right choices", and to watch what I say..etc..
And I'm sure - you can now also see that just by praying "Lord I repent of this..." - just doesn't always bring any breakthrough - as there are those extra layers of Confession + receiving God's Forgiveness + Forgiving others that still needs to be dealt with in the background.
2 Chron 7:14 really means what it says:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Looking at the story of Jonah for example - that when the people of Nineveh "Humbled themselves through prayer and fasting" - and they were seeking God's Forgiveness - God Relented from destroying their city !!
Forgiveness and Repentance are truly going hand in hand - and thus we can not receive or Healing and Deliverance if we stubbornly refuse not to Forgive and Repent !!
Thus My prayer for you reading this today - that may this message help you in your time of Healing, and may you experience the Lord's Forgiveness and that He will Deliver you from the power of Guilt, Shame, Sin, all Bondages and even the fear of Death, and Heal you from every ache and pain and disease, and Deliver you from any form of Depression, Anxiety & every Fear !!
And may you live that Powerful Pure Holy Life which He died for all of us to have, but which so few can really see or experience... (2 Cor 6:16-7:1, Eph 5:25-27)
And if this message has helped you in any way, please let us know what it meant, and how the Lord has touched your life as you applied this process for any situation you are struggling to come free from...
Looking forward to hear from you !!
AMEN !
I invite you again - join us on Wednesdays @ 10:30am PDT - for our weekly Zoom meetings - Cleansing His Bride - where in private 3 minutes with the Holy Spirit we look at various Repentance points, later sharing if you wish the lessons we've learned, encouraging each other. And you are welcome to join our fellowship. See below for the Registration - in order to receive the Zoom details.
OR: you can follow us live via our National Day of Repentance YouTube Channel - as we are now livestreaming to YouTube every Wednesday !! Just go to the LIVE Tab - or click on the Logo when we are live - and you will immediately be connected to the meeting.
Here is the link from our meeting this past week.
https://youtube.com/live/ugSXBe3M94M
Looking forward to meet you all online sometime soon...
Your sister in Christ
Blessings
Susan Hammer
South Africa
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At NDR our Give-12 Project still continues.
We are not anywhere near reaching our goal. If each person reading this mail, can donate $12 or more each month, those funds will support the Holy Spirit Fire of Repentance spreading like a spiritual spear, increasingly touching hearts and nations, especially in Africa. We have virtually no overhead; Susan and I are volunteers; but we are inundated daily by very real requests for support from repentance-based pastors, Ambassadors of God's First Fruit: Love.
Please sow into this mighty move of God.
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